Ashulia garment factory fire leaves 1 dead, several injures

A woman garment worker was killed and more than 100 others were injured after panic triggered a stampede during a fire at a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on Saturday (September 20) morning.

The deceased was identified as Shahanaz Begum, 45, a cleaner at Fahami Group Industry Ltd in the Baipayl area. She was reportedly pregnant.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out around 9am, shortly after work began, apparently due to an electrical short circuit in the finishing section. Several electrical wires caught fire, producing a burning smell and sparks.

As news of the fire spread, thousands of workers from the second to eighth floors rushed downstairs in panic. Shahanaz fell and was trampled on the staircase, while more than 100 workers were injured.

Two units of the DEPZ Fire Service reached the scene and brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

Senior Station Officer Aktaruzzaman Liton said the fire originated from an electrical short circuit but the casualties occurred mainly because of panic and the ensuing rush.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Following the incident, additional police were deployed at the factory as workers became agitated.

However, factory Project Director Zakir Hossain claimed that the fire was brought under control quickly and that no one was injured in the incident. Police, meanwhile, confirmed that Shahanaz died while trying to escape amid the panic.